Peach tree named &#39;Plapiomel&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Peach tree characterized by its low chilling requirement, early to mid-season ripening, having attractive clingstone fruit having yellow fleshed, medium-high firm, good quality fruit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The new variety of Peach tree was created in a breeding programby crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent avariety designated ‘89-062’ (unpatented) and as pollen parent a varietydesignated ‘91-002’ (unpatented). Both, female and male, are componentsof a parent collection from a selection made between plants issued fromseeds got in a free pollination in a population of different origin donein 1989 and 1991. Both parental varieties are property and have not beencommercialized.

[0002] The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization weregerminated in a greenhouse in the spring of 1995 and planted in a fieldon the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7° W., 37° N., 45feet elevation. The seedlings fruited during the Spring of 1997, onedesignated ‘95.03.003-P,’ (unpatented) was selected for its low chillingrequirement (250 to 300 hours) early to mid-season ripening, attractivefruit shape and color, yellow flesh, medium-high firm fruit, and goodfruit quality. During 1998, the original plant selection was propagatedasexually, at the above noted location, by budding onto standard Peachrootstock variety designated ‘GF-677’ (non patented) and a test plot of4 plants was established.

[0003] The new variety has been asexually multiplied several times since1999 at this location by budding onto the standard Peach rootstockvariety designated as ‘GF-677’ (unpatented) and no incompatibility withPeach rootstock has occurred following budding. During all asexualreproduction, the characteristics of the original plant have beenmaintained and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The new Peach tree variety differs from its parents and otherknown cultivars of Peach Trees by producing clingstone fruits with a lowchilling requirement (250 to 300 hours) and an early to mid-seasonripening date. The fruits of the new variety are ripe for commercialharvesting and shipment between approximately May 30^(th) to May15^(th). These harvesting dates are approximately 25 days earlier thanthe harvest dates of the commercial Peach variety ‘VISTA’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 9,549), approximately 13 days earlier than the harvest dates ofthe commercial Peach variety ‘REDHAVEN’ (unpatented) , approximately 15days earlier than the harvest dates of the commercial peach variety‘RICH LADY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290), and approximately 20 days laterthan the harvest dates of the commercial peach variety ‘RICH MAY’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,432).

COMPARISON WITH OTHER VARIETIES

[0005] ‘PLAPIOMEL’ differs from Peach trees of ‘VISTA,’ ‘RICH MAY’ and‘RICH LADY’ by its lower chilling requirement (200 to 300 hours);whereas ‘VISTA’ has a 700 to 800 hour chilling requirement; ‘RICH MAY’has a 800 to 900 hour chilling requirement; and ‘RICH LADY’ has a 750 to850 hour chilling requirement.

[0006] ‘PLAPIOMEL’ produces round shaped clingstone fruit with aslightly apical tip; whereas ‘VISTA’ produces semi-freestone fruit withan ovoid shape; ‘RICH MAY’ produces more firm, ovoid shaped fruit with astrong apical tip. The fruit of ‘RICH LADY’ also have an ovoid shape.

[0007] The surface of the fruit of the new variety is coveredapproximately 60% to 80% with a red over a yellow-greenish color;whereas 100% of the fruit surface of ‘RICH LADY’ shows a red color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying photographic illustrations show typicalspecimens of the new variety as true to color as is reasonably possibleto make in illustrations of this character.

[0009]FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of the new variety.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows the coloration of the dorsal and ventral leaves ofthe new variety.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows the external coloration of fruits of the new varietywhen sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment and one fruit ofthe new variety dissected in the equatorial plane to illustrate theflesh and stone characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0012] The following observations and descriptions are of plants grownat the orchard previously described, located near the town of Cartaya,Huelva, Spain. Observations were made of the original seedling tree onits own root during the growing years of 1997 to 2001.

[0013] In this description, it is to be understood that references ofthe dimensions, sizes, colors, etc. of the botanical and phonologicalcharacteristics of the new variety are approximations of averages setforth as accurately as practical. Phenotypic expression may vary withlight intensity and cultural and environmental conditions. The colorreferences used in this description, are to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (RHSCC) and terminology used in the colordescriptions herein refers to plate numbers in said color chart.

[0014] Tree

[0015]Size.—Generally average to above-average as compared to othercommon Peach cultivars.

[0016]Productivity.—Approximately 27000 to 29000 Kgrs/Ha.

[0017]Form.—Considered upright to upright, spreading in form.

[0018]Height.—Original seedling tree reached approximately 3.2 m at endof 2001 growing season.

[0019]Width.—Original seedling reached approximately 1.80 m at end of2001 growing season.

[0020]Current season growth.—Approximately 0.95 to 1.1 m.

[0021]Regularity of bearing.—Regular.

[0022] Trunk

[0023]Thickness.—Approximately 110 mm Diameter: Approximately 15 cm whenmeasured at a distance above the soil level at end of 2001 growingseason.

[0024]Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous scarf skinflat oval lenticels present Color: Grey Group near 201C to 201B.

[0025] Branches

[0026]Size.—Considered medium for the species.

[0027]Diameter.—About 65.4 mm when measured during the 3^(rd) year aftergrafting.

[0028]Surface texture.—Average Current Season Shoots: Substantiallyglabrous Color: Greyed-green Group near 194B to 195B.

[0029]Mature branches.—Appearing furrowed on wood which is several yearsold Color: Greyed-green Group near 197C to 197B.

[0030] Leaf

[0031]Size.—Considered average for the species; leaf measurements takenfrom vigorous upright current season growth at approximately mid-shootLength: Approximately 140 to 160 mm Width: Approximately 38 to 46 mmThickness: Approximately 1 to 2 mm.

[0032]Base shape.—Slightly oblique.

[0033]Form.—Lanceolate.

[0034]Tip form.—Acuminate.

[0035]Color.—Upper Side: Green Group near 146A to 147A Underside:Yellow-Green Group near 146D to 146B.

[0036]Texture.—Glabrous.

[0037]Margins.—Crenate, generally uniform.

[0038]Leaf petiole.—Considered medium-long Length: Approximately 10 to14 mm Diameter: Approximately 1.5 to 2 mm.

[0039]Leaf glands.—Reinform; generally 2 to 4 per side Length:Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 mm Width: Approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mm.

[0040] Inflorescence

[0041]Flowers.—Bloom occurs prior to vegetative bud break; generallydouble individual flowers at a single node; perfect self-fertile.

[0042]Blooming time.—Considered medium in relation to other Peachcultivars.

[0043]Date of bloom.—First, February 9^(st); Full, February 16^(th).

[0044]Type.—Roseate.

[0045]Flower diameter.—Approximately 41 to 45 mm at full bloom.

[0046]Bloom quantity.—Considered very abundant.

[0047]Petalage.—Considered large for the species Length: Approximately17 to 19 mm Width: Approximately 17 to 19 mm Shape: Rounded.

[0048]Petal count.—Nearly always 5.

[0049]Texture.—Glabrous.

[0050]Color.—Red-Purple Group near 69D to 69C.

[0051]Apex.—The petal apices appear domed.

[0052]Stamens.—Numerous; with pollen present; fertile and abundant.

[0053] Fruit: In firm ripe condition at full commercial maturity, firstfruit picked on approximately May 30^(th); last pick of same fruit in2001 was approximately June 15^(th) in Cartaya, Huelva, Spain conditions

[0054]Size.—Generally considered large in size, slightly not uniformCheek Diameter: Approximately 70 to 88 mm Suture Diameter: Approximately72 to 90 mm Axial diameter: Average about 76 to 78 mm.

[0055]Form.—Rounded, slightly flat; generally slightly not-uniform.

[0056]Suture.—Extending from base to apex, suture appears as a very thinline at same level as skin.

[0057]Stem cavity size.—Considered small for the species Width:Approximately 21 to 22 mm Length: Approximately 28 to 30 mm Depth:Approximately 16 to 18 mm.

[0058]Form.—Ovoid.

[0059]Fruit base.—Slightly concave and uniform.

[0060]Fruit apex.—Rounded with a slight apical tip.

[0061]Fruit skin.—Average in thickness Surface Texture: Very littlepubescence Skin Acidity: Neutral.

[0062]Tenacious to flesh.—Yes; at commercial maturity.

[0063]Tendency to crack.—Not observed Skin Color: Approximately 60% to80% of fruit surface Red Group near 45B to 46A; not brilliant and about20% to 40% of surface Yellow-green Group near 145C to 145D.

[0064]Firmness.—3.5 to 4.5 Kg/cm²= Resistance to penetration measured inKilograms (Kg/cm²) obtained by Penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with a50 mm² section head.

[0065]Flesh color.—Yellow Group near 11B to 11A.

[0066]Flesh fibers.—Not present throughout flesh at maturity.

[0067]Flesh texture.—Generally melting.

[0068]Flavor.—Considered sweet; medium acidic; soluble solids, as °Brix,about 11 to 12.

[0069]Aroma.—Pleasant and medium.

[0070]Eating quality.—Very good to excellent; well above average whencompared to other common commercial varieties.

[0071]Stone.—Attachment: Clingstone at full commercial maturity StoneSize: Large for the species Length: Approximately 35 to 37 mm Width:Approximately 25 to 27 mm Thickness: Approximately 19 to 20 mm StoneForm: Ovoid-elongated Stone Color: Yellow-Orange Group near 22A to 26BTendency to Split: None observed Kernel: Form is ovoid-elongated.Length: Approximately 15 to 16 mm; Width: Approximately 10 to 11 mm.

[0072] Use: Early to mid-season maturity producing a highly attractivecolored, medium-high firm fruit

[0073] Keeping Quality: Fruit stored well up to 15 to 20 days afterharvest at temperatures of about 1° C.

[0074] Resistance to Insects and Disease: No particular susceptibilitieswere noted

[0075] Shipping Quality: Well above average

[0076] The new variety of Peach tree possesses the characteristicsdescribed above, as a result of the growing conditions prevailing inCartaya, Huelva, Spain. It is to be expected that variations in thesecharacteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climaticconditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Peach tree substantially asillustrated and described herein.